california grand entrance

Welcome Back!

WELCOME BACK TO THE CALIFORNIA GRAND CASINO!

We opened again in late January with Texas Hold ‘Em Poker, Hot Action Blackjack®, Three Card Poker with better odds than Vegas, Pai Gow Poker and EZ Baccarat. We are open 24 hours and 7 days a week with Free Valet Parking.

We have games inside and in our outdoor climate controlled facility, together with a waiting area, sign up board and food service areas where players can order food and beverages. Our waiting, gaming and dining areas are smoke free.

Come in for cash jackpots, great games, fantastic food and friendly service, all without having to leave the Bay Area. We have been voted Best Casino in the East Bay seven years in a row! We hope you have a great experience here.

The California Grand is located at Highway 680 and Highway 4 in the East Bay, near Walnut Creek and Concord, 20 minutes from Oakland and the San Francisco Bay Bridge.

Thank you to all our customers who have returned, our new customers, Contra Costa County for helping us to get open, and to all our staff that have worked very hard to make this a great and safe experience for everyone.

Calirfornia Cardroom

What is a California Cardroom?

California cardrooms have evolved from the old western saloons of the Barbary Coast to modern casinos while keeping the basic idea that players have the chance to play card games against each other.

California Cardroom History

In the old west, saloons had card tables where players could play card games against each other, with the players taking turns being the dealer.  The California Grand Casino has been offering games like this since it was a Pony Express Stop in the 1850s.

In 1872, California prohibited “banked” card games, usually understood to mean games where the players play against the house. For more than 100 years after that, regulation of cardrooms was left to local governments.  At one point, there were over 300 card rooms operating in the state.

In the early 1980s, cardrooms also began to offer non-banked versions of card games such as Pai Gow Poker, which was invented at a cardroom in Los Angeles.  In these games, players could take turns playing the dealer hand against the other players. While casinos of the type operating in Nevada and New Jersey are not allowed in California, the California courts determined that these “player-dealer” games where the players can wager against each other are legal.  As a result, a unique structure took shape in California.   The cardrooms supply the dealer, tables, chips and cards.  And at least every two hands, the player-dealer position is offered to a different player.  There also are independently owned companies whose employees take the player-dealer position when it’s offered.  But every player at the table still has the right to take the player-dealer position and bet against all the other players. In 1997, the Gambling Control Act was adopted, which created the California Gambling Control Commission to regulate California cardrooms and it now also regulates these third party companies.

Today cardrooms exist in a special place for most Californians.  The laws create a fun, competitive gaming atmosphere that is separate and distinct from a casino.  As one player who travelled from out of state said: “At first, I thought it was strange having the dealer position offered around, but when I realized I could bet on the dealer hand and enjoy the odds, I loved it.”

What’s The Difference Between a California Card room and a Casino?

Unlike tribal or commercial casinos, cardrooms do not offer slot machines or video poker.  But in addition to poker and Texas Hold’Em, they offer cardroom versions of newer card games like Blackjack, Baccarat, Three Card Poker and Pai Gow Poker.  In these games, each person has the opportunity to wager on the dealer hand against the other players, rather than betting against the house.

How Many Card rooms are there in California?

There are 66 cardrooms operating in California ranging in size from one table to nearly 300 tables, offering many of the same games played all over the world, and hosting tournaments and events.

When you arrive at the California Grand Casino, we’ll greet you, ask you what game you want to play, and help you find a seat.  We can explain the games to you.

New players also receive special bonuses.  If you want to play poker, you can buy in for $20 and receive $50 in chips.  For the player-dealer games, you will receive Four $10 Match Play Chips and $10 in free food on your first visit, with the same again when you return a second time.  You can take both the poker and Match Play bonuses on your first visit.  Come in and see why the California Grand Casino has been voted best casino in the East Bay for seven years in a row.

 

casino chips

Cardroom Safety and Coronavirus

THE PLAYER EXPERIENCE WHEN CARDROOMS REOPEN

On June 5, California’s Governor issued State guidelines for the re-opening of california cardrooms. The guidelines address sanitizing, hand washing, distancing or alternative measures such as plexiglass barriers, the wearing of masks, and other safety procedures. Before re-opening, cardrooms will need to be in a County that has met State readiness requirements, need to develop written safety plans, and coordinate their opening with local public health orders.

Under the guidelines and local public health orders, what will the experience be like for our customers?

At least at the beginning, customers will have temperature checks and wear masks. The cardroom games also may look different. There may be plexiglass barriers, and movement around the cardroom may be subject to marked lanes. It may be difficult to operate short-handed poker games with only a few players per table, so poker games may not open immediately. Some games may be dealt face up so players don’t have to touch their cards. And don’t be surprised if the game mix changes and there are new games to try that are easier to operate under the new procedures.

Of course any procedures will be subject to public health orders and guidance, which may change over time. But hopefully our customers will understand and become accustomed to the new procedures, as well as exploring new games.

The new health and safety protocols may initially include:

  • Temperature checks
  • Using masks
  • Hand washing and sanitizing
  • New cleaning procedures before a customer takes a chair
  • Removing chairs or using plexiglass partitions between seats
  • New air systems that kill many germs
  • Health checks on employees
  • New procedures for signing up, waiting for a seat or using the cage
  • Food service changes
3 card poker at the California Grand Casino Bay area card room

When Will California Cardrooms Open?

When will California Card Rooms Reopen?

UPDATE January 2022:

The California Grand Casino is OPEN with Texas Hold ‘Em, Pai Gow Poker, Hot Action Blackjack, Three Card Poker and EZ Baccarat.  We offer the best games and the Best Action in the Bay Area!  We look forward to seeing you.  New Players receive $100 in Match Play for table games and poker players get $50 in chips for $20.

 

 

Best casino the East Bay

Casino Near Richmond, CA

The Bay Area has so much to offer that the City of Richmond is often overlooked. The climate is the Goldilocks climate of the Bay Area, not too hot and not too cold. That weather makes the turn along 35 mile long Richmond Bay trail excellent for Hikers, Bikers, Walkers and Photographers. The bay views give some people an entirely new perspective on the Bay Area’s majesty. If you are coming, don’t forget the pooch! Richmond has three separate dog parks so that bowser can get his exercise.

In town, Richmond features numerous breweries, coffee shops and art. There are 13 Museum and Art Centers in Richmond. The Rosie The Riveter memorial park and visitor center was started as a local art’s project. It was so successful it was turned into a national park site, featuring an outdoor walk that memorializes the contributions of women during World War II. Inside the Visitor center are fun and educational interactive exhibits that make a stop here fun for the whole family.

The Best Casino In Richmond, CA


The Casino that locals love is the California Grand Casino. In nearby Pacheco, California Grand has been around for over a hudred and fifty years and now features the latest in gaming action. A long time favorite, California Grand has been voted the best casino in East Bay each year from 2012 to 2019. Come see why people from Richmond, and all over the bay come to California Grand.


Just a short drive down highway 4, into Pacheco you will find the California Grand. If you’re looking to play check out our Directions page now and come by anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have free valet parking, great food and are smoke free. Our games include Texas Hold ?Em poker, Pai Gow Poker, Hot Action Blackjack, Three Card Poker and EZ Baccarat.

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What To Do In Concord California

Concord California

Concord California, located in the East San Francisco Bay Area, is a city with a rich history and charming downtown area. Todos Santos Plaza is the center of the action in Concord, with a charming farmer’s market twice a week, live music on summer evenings, and a collection of excellent restaurants and bars open year-round. 


The Concord Pavilion is a great place to see shows and concerts. Some of the Country’s biggest bands have played there, including Maroon 5, Incubus, and Santana.


One of the best things about Concord is its location. It’s only minutes from San Francisco and San Jose, giving residents and visitors plenty to do all around the Bay Area. It’s also just a few minutes away from the California Grand Casino, the Bay Area’s premier Cardroom.

California Grand Casino in Concord

At the California Grand Casino you also can play all your favorite table games, like Texas Hold’Em, Three Card Poker, Hot Action Blackjack, Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, and Omaha Poker. Many of the games have with better odds than Vegas. In our Three Card Poker game, you can see one of the dealer’s cards before you make a play bet. In our Pai Gow Poker, our joker is fully wild. In Hot Action Blackjack you don’t bust on 22 if the dealer also has a 22, and you can win up to 200 times your Buster Blackjack bet. Players win double their money if their first two cards are suited Aces. In EZ Baccarat, you can win up to 40 times your bet.  California Grand Casino has been coted the best bay area Casino annually since 2012, and it’s the casino that locals love – stop on in!

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Casino Near Walnut Creek, CA

Activities in Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek in San Francisco’s East Bay is full of outdoor sports opportunities, cultural activities and nightlife. This fun, family friendly town just minutes from San Francisco has great weather, great restaurants as well as The Lesher Center of the Arts, outdoor parks, open spaces and many golf courses and hiking trails throughout Contra Costa County. People in Walnut Creek lead an active lifestyle, and when they want a little fun and relaxation, they head to the California Grand Casino, which is just minutes away

At the California Grand Casino you also can play all your favorite table games, like Texas Hold ‘Em, Three Card Poker, Hot Action Blackjack, Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, and Omaha Poker. Many of the games have with better odds than Vegas. In our Three Card Poker game, you can see one of the dealer’s cards before you make a play bet. In our Pai Gow Poker, our joker is fully wild. In Hot Action Blackjack you don’t bust on 22 if the dealer also has a 22, and you can win up to 200 times your Buster Blackjack bet. Players win double their money if their first two cards are suited Aces. In EZ Baccarat, you can win up to 40 times your bet.

Casino Minutes away From Walnut Creek

The California Grand Casino is located only 10 minutes from downtown Walnut Creek and is just off of interstate 680

If you’re looking to play at the casino that locals love, check out our Directions page now and come by anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have free valet parking, great food and we are smoke free.

Poker table with cards

California Grand Casino: Poker Games with the Best Jackpots!

California Grand Casino: Poker Games with the Best Jackpots!

If you want to go after some really big jackpots, you want to play poker games at California Grand Casino!

Check out all of our chances to win, and note that the jackpots increase daily, so the excitement is always building! Take advantage of the great chip bonuses we offer; get more chances to play with these awesome bonuses. Note that 1st 10 players only eligible for $20 bonus.

Play Poker Anytime at 14 Tables.

Wow! California Grand Casino is open 24 hours a day, year-round with 14 tables dedicated to poker! It’s always the perfect time to play at California Grand Casino!

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Premier East Bay Casino

Play all your favorite games! California Grand Casino is your Best Bet in the Bay Area!

Ever wonder which casino in the Bay Area is the best one to play at? From 2013 to 2019 the California Grand Casino has been voted Best Casino in the San Francisco East Bay by the Bay Area News Group, which includes the Contra Costa Times, San Jose Mercury News and the Oakland Tribune. From all your favorite games like Blackjack, Hold?Em, Pai Gow, Baccarat, and more, to terrific food, such as our breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials, you’re sure to love everything about our casino. Dine tableside while you play, or take a break and have fun dining in The Grand Cafe — we offer a variety of great entrees and even a Noodle Bar where you can make your own delicious Asian dishes.

All the Extras that Make California Grand Casino Special

The big attraction is of course playing the casino games and discovering all the extras that make California Grand Casino special. Did you know that during football season we show all the games and offer contests with cash prizes? Or come see us on holidays like Thanksgiving where you can enjoy a great holiday meal while you play your favorite card games.

California Grand Casino is open 24/7, what are you waiting for?! Get the gang together and come play! Our popular Progressive Bad Beat Jackpots start at $70,000 and increase daily.  Join the ever growing number of people who win at California Grand Casino – We’ve paid our players over $17,000,000 in jackpots and prizes. Get ready to come out and see us and don’t forget to check us out on Facebook!

How to play EZ Baccarat

What is EZ Baccarat?:

Baccarat is one of the most popular table games in American Casinos, and the undisputed king in Macau. Many variations of the game exist worldwide, varying by region. At the California Grand Casino we play EZ Baccarat, a variant popular in all of California and the East Bay and all across San Francisco Bay area.

How to play EZ Baccarat:

As the name implies EZ Baccarat is fast and easy to play.

  • There are 2 hands: the Player and the Banker.
  • The dealer deals 2 cards for each hand. Depending on the initial card values, each hand may also be dealt a third card.
  • You bet on which hand will end up with a point value closest to nine (9).
  • You add up the cards in each hand and count only the last digit. So a 19 is a 9.

Betting:

You can wager on either the Player or the Banker hand having the highest total, or you can wager on a tie. A Player or Banker wager pays even money. A tie wager wins 9:1. EZ Baccarat plays like traditional Baccarat but eliminates the 5% commission on winning Banker hand wagers by making the hand a push when the Banker hand wins with a three card seven.

Bonus Wagers:

  • Dragon 7: this bet is won if a banker hand wins with a 3 card 7. The pay-out is 40:1.
  • Panda 8:  this bet is won if a player hand wins with a 3 card 8. The Pay-out is 25:1.
  • Tie:  this bet is won when the banker and the player hands reach a tie. The pay-out is 9:1

 

Our Bay Area casino is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with Baccarat and fast paced Hold’Em and casino game action. We focus on what everyone wants: great games and service. Our staff is friendly and experienced, and as a result our poker games here are considered by many to be the best and with the most action in the Bay Area.